CEPF Western Ghats Special Series : Local ecological knowledge of the threatened Cochin Forest Cane Turtle Vijayachelys silvatica and Travancore Tortoise Indotestudo travancorica from the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats, India

Abstract

In this study, we used local ecological knowledge to determine the status, habitats, threats and consumption of two range-restricted and threatened chelonians, Vijayachelys silvatica and Indotestudo travancorica from two forest divisions of Kerala, that occur in the Western Ghats. Of these terrestrial species, I. travancorica was more abundant, preferred and consumed in the study region. Fire was the major perceived threat to these species, followed by human consumption. Contrary to the literature, V. silvatica was considered common and encountered more often during the fruiting season of specific plants, and in areas where temperatures were low. We also found that photographs, rather than local names, were important for species identification associated with such knowledge surveys.